Comments on: Multifl0w: Multitasking on the iPhone with Backgrounder

By: Rob Blissett

Rob Blissett — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:22:12 +0000

That's funny about the streaming radio bit, as I always listen to di.fm while still being able to run other apps. In fact I'm doing that right now, just to be sure. The only thing I can't do surf. As an example I run the RUN KEEPER app (which is excellent) and go for a jog while the di.fm is streaming music. Of course I had to open the stream before the app. Just wanted to point that out.

By: nosnoop

nosnoop — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:11:53 +0000

I think mQuickDo is a better app for background task switcher. Multifl0w's Pre style screen swiping looks cool. But heavy use of the Home screen button to enable/disable background app and to bring up Multifl0w is very tiresome.

mQuickDo's use of gesture to put app to background and to close it works much better. Though not as cool, displaying all the open apps as icons in a single screen works much faster as well.

By: Brian Milligan

Brian Milligan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:47:01 +0000

This looks really cool, integration with mQuickDo would sell it for me, although using the multitasking bar with mQuickDo is basically all I need for multitask management, mQuickDo is more functional as you don't have to scroll though the open apps, they are all on overlaid on the current view. This looks really slick though, I'd like to be able to use it as an option.

I think apple will have multitasking in 2010, whether they claim it “can't be done” on the current devices will be the question.

By: Xaroc

Xaroc — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:41:20 +0000

What would be a good idea would be to refill the Ram Pool when changing Apps. For example
Running Calendar, Clock, Chat, and pictures in backgrounder. When you move it in to flow mode, All but 5% resources go back to the pool, leaving the backgrounded apps in a somewhat “sleep” state, but still ready for your access at all times.

i use to do it with older computers back in the day, with old Pentium 1's and 2' . running 3-4 programs would slow it down, allowing me to downsize and the computer would cut nearly all CPU and Ram cache to that program.
This idea may not be perfect, but in my mind highly plausible

By: Dusty

Dusty — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:42:18 +0000

I also like that idea. Both option would be good

By: Dusty

Dusty — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:35:55 +0000

One word… Finally!
Backgrounder app is awesome too. Been using since BETA and lovin it!

By: justywusty

justywusty — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:28:36 +0000

a suggestion for the developer would be to put an x in the corner of each app when in multifl0w view…so you could “close” them like in safari…instead of going back into the apps and holding the home button to cancel backgrounding.

By: random

random — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:25:33 +0000

simply press the home button like you would have prior to backgrounder. Single press not held.

However if backgrounder is already enabled on an app, you should just be able to do the same process to activate it on an app (single press held until the message briefly pops up “Backgrounder disabled”)

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:00:10 +0000

anyone how to turn off a running background app (e.g. radio app) with backgrounder. It works find but how do i turn the radio background when I want it off until I launch it again?

Background control says to hold say power long enough to choose what to turn off? but I'm not seeing it.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:27:12 +0000

i wonder how much of a hit it will bit on performance with background app running. I guess radio should be ok but anything bigger requiring lots of processing power would slow down iPhone considerably. That could be a reason Apple is not allowing it to its full extend.